After two weeks and 20 rounds of competition, the Tournament of the Readers concluded Monday in the Haines School gym. The undefeated Seahawks (fourth-graders Rio Ross-Hirsh, Leo Wald, Jackson Long, Fiona Tormey and Sophia Sutcliffe-Diaz) placed first, earning a pizza party. The fifth-grade Golden Dragon Readers (Luke Davis, Matilda Rogers, Jacob Weerasinghe and Owen McPhetres) took second place, and the third-grade Beautiful Book Bandits (Selby Long, Lucia Chapell, Ariel Godinez-Long and Ashlyn Ganey) took third. The competition is organized annually by school librarian Leigh Horner and pits teams of readers against each other, answering questions about 12 assigned books.
Ben Johnson recently returned from a three-week stint of helping his brother Nathanial O’Shea run events for O’Shea’s Great Frogs Winery. Johnson is the acting sommelier for the company, which is based in Annapolis, Md. The company hosted dinners in Aspen and Vail, then Johnson continued to Annapolis, where Great Frogs Winery hosted the United States Naval Academy commissioning. Johnson also attended a Super Bowl party at the vineyard, where 39 inches of snow fell during an epic winter storm.
Smith “Smitty” Katzeek Sr. was medevaced Feb. 20 to the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage due to breathing complications. Daughter Deanna Strong set up a Go Fund Me page to help with medical and travel expenses.
Denise Morris and Nelle Jurgeleit-Greene split the $1,000 maxed-out “Early Bird” jackpot at Friday night’s bingo game. Morris was playing eight cards and Jurgeleit-Greene was playing five. The ANB Hall was packed in anticipation of the jackpot win, and players enjoyed the potato bar set up by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Ripinsky Rippers held its annual quilting retreat at the Senior Center from Feb. 12-15. Eleven locals and five Juneau residents gathered to work on a project called “The Bordered Periwinkle,” which produces an octagon and four-pointed star pattern when the pieces are fitted together, said Becky Nash. This year’s theme was “may all your quilts burst into bloom.” Over the weekend, participants spent time quilting, sharing meals, giving massages, coloring and making valentines. The Rippers meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month at the Senior Center.
The Andriesen family recently traveled to New York City to watch junior Madeline Andriesen perform at Carnegie Hall’s 2016 High School Honors Performance Series. Parents Lisa and Thom and sister Lydia joined Madeline on the trip, which included a tour of Ellis Island, a trek to the top of the Statue of Liberty and a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. Lisa’s parents Jane and Tony Cardellio, brother Tony Cardellio Jr., and nieces Sofie and Grace Cardellio also flew in from Detroit, Mich., for the Carnegie Hall performance, where Madeline sang Alto 1 in the Honors Concert Choir. Former Haines resident Neil Little, who currently attends Sitka High School, also performed at the event.
Marilyn Allen’s daughter Connie Allen has moved to Haines from San Antonio, Texas. She is staying off and on with Marilyn and her brother Mark Allen. Marilyn said she is glad to have her daughter in town.
Gordon Tandy had his right leg amputated at Seattle’s Virginia Mason Hospital and Medical Center last week due to complications from vascular disease. Daughter Susan Tandy is staying with him, and daughter Sarah Scott, son Tom Tandy and grandson Carlos Jimenez were also able to visit. Susan said Gordon was transferred to a rehabilitation facility, and his singular goal is to return to his home at Haines Assisted Living. Susan is staying with Gordon and hopes the two can return to Haines by the end of March. “Our family is overwhelmed by love and support from Haines,” Susan said.
The American Legion’s weekly Friday night Burger Feed is on hiatus until further notice, post commander John Newton said this week. The cook is going back to Texas, Newton said.
A 90th birthday party and community potluck will be held for Cecilia David at the Haines ANB Hall starting 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. A main course will be provided. Guests can bring a side dish or salad.
Volunteers rolled more than 200 smoked salmon sushi rolls to raise money for Sarah and Chorus Bishop’s daughter Garland. Lisa Schwartz, one of the organizers, said the sushi sold out and the event fundraised more than twice the amount expected. People can still donate to Garland’s medical bills fund on Paypal at [email protected]. Travel miles can be donated to Alaska Airlines Mileage Account Number 110857692.